DEMARCHE DELIVERED: REFORMING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 001084

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO, DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL KUNR AM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: REFORMING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION

REF: A. A) STATE 111657


B. B)YEREVAN 997

Classified By: DCM A.F.Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Post delivered reftel talking points to MFA
International Organizations Department Chief Valery Mkrtumyan
on June 21. Mkrtumyan said that the GOAM supports the idea
of a standing, solutions-oriented council. He warned,
however, that most of our points would require additional
"deliberation" beyond the current timeframe. (Note: Armenia
developed its policy on UN reform in Yerevan during a
conclave of senior diplomats in Yerevan May 30-31 (reftel B).
End Note.) Mkrtumyan asserted the GOAM supports obligatory
peer review that "carefully examines" member nations and
provides the "effective action" human rights mandate. He
said he had raised the issue with Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vartan Oskanian and that Yerevan was engaged in detailed
discussions on the subject with its missions in Geneva and
New York.


2. (C) Mrtumyan said the GOAM supports a Human Rights Council
membership structure that follows the membership guidelines
of the Security Council or ECOSOC. On total membership,
however, he disagreed with our points. In response to the
proposal that the council should have twenty members he
responded, "We do not share the U.S. view that membership
should be limited to twenty; we want equitable and geographic
distribution of representation, although we will try to be
flexible." After some prodding, it became clear that the MFA
was suggesting that the council have no fewer than the
current 53 members who are part of the UNHRC. Mkrtumyan also
said the GOAM supports restrictions on "concurrent membership
in the major structures," limiting any country from holding a
seat on the Security Council, ECOSOC and the proposed Human
Rights Council at the same time. He agreed that this might
not be a realistic scenario for countries (like the US and EU
countries) who are active in all three areas, but suggested
nonetheless that the GOAM would stick to this point during
upcoming discussions.


3. (C) Comment: Mkrtumyan's response confirms our suspicion
that the GOAM is approaching UN reform issues in terms of how
small countries -- like Armenia -- can retain seats on
important UN bodies. Mkrtumyan felt compelled to make a
connection between the issue of UNHRC reform and discussions
surrounding the UNSC. Since Yerevan has traditionally
deferred to its mission in Geneva on these issues, a firm USG
approach in Geneva will be necessary if we are to move them
closer to our position on the technical aspects of this
subject.
EVANS